Amsterdam, Netherlands · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, or VU Amsterdam for short, is one of the largest research universities in the Netherlands. VU Amsterdam offers dozens of English-taught programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels and is geared toward international students. The university is ideal for those seeking a European education while maintaining a more reasonable budget compared to the US or UK.
Top 10 in the NetherlandsNational ranking of the Netherlands
Top 100 in the world for teachingTimes Higher Education (THE)
About the university
Princeton University was founded in 1746 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, it is a member of the Ivy League, which unites elite educational institutions. The university provides funding for undergraduate and doctoral studies, and some master’s programs are completely free.
Degree of study
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral studies
Percentage of students accepted
6%
Probability of employment after training
about 84% of graduates find employment or continue their education within six months of graduation
Scholarships
a wide range of financial assistance for foreigners
Directions
a multidisciplinary university with a wide range of programs
Type
private university
Student body size
about 9,000 students
% of international students
12%
Student town
The location in the small American town of Princeton Limits cultural and entertainment opportunities compared to large cities, but the town's infrastructure is well developed and represents a whole student "city"
What makes Erasmus University Rotterdam special?
Erasmus University Rotterdam is located in the Netherlands, in Rotterdam—Europe’s largest port and one of the region’s key economic centers. Founded in 1913, the university is now among Europe’s leading research universities.
EUR’s core competencies include economics, business, management, social sciences, medicine, and data science. The university actively participates in international research and collaborates with European institutions and major corporations.
Erasmus University Rotterdam is well suited for those considering an academic career, work in international companies, consulting, finance, analytics, and public policy.
Degree of study
Bachelor's, Master's and PhD
Percentage of accepted students
30-50%, depending on the faculty and program
Probability of employment after training
After graduation, more than 90% of students find a job or enroll in graduate school within the first six months
Scholarships
Partial/targeted (including for foreign students subject to funding conditions) are available
Directions
Economics and business, law, psychology, social sciences, natural sciences, medicine and healthcare
Type
Public research university
Student building size
More than 25,000 students
% of international students
About 25-40%
Campus
A modern university complex with academic buildings, libraries, laboratories, sports and student areas, as well as dormitories and cafes. Compact and convenient for students to study and live
Available programs
Bachelor’s degree
Business and Management
Law and Legal Research
Natural sciences and Biomedicine
International Relations and Diplomacy
Master’s degree
Business and Management
Law and Legal Research
International Relations and Diplomacy
Natural sciences and Biomedicine
Doctoral studies
International Relations and Diplomacy
Natural sciences and Biomedicine
Law and Legal Research
Business and Management
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is the largest university in the Netherlands
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam was founded in 1880 and today ranks among the largest academic universities in the country. The university is located in the southern part of Amsterdam and has its own campus, home to faculties, research centers, libraries, and student infrastructure.
VU positions itself as an international research university. It actively develops programs in business, economics, social sciences, psychology, data science, medicine, and STEM disciplines. Most master’s programs are taught entirely in English, making VU particularly attractive to international students.
VU Amsterdam is suitable for those focused on academic development and careers in international companies, consulting, analytics, IT, or research organizations.
Why choose VU Amsterdam?
International environment and academic base
VU Amsterdam actively develops international programs and partnerships. The university has students from over 100 countries, and a significant portion of its faculty have experience working outside the Netherlands.
Strong areas and faculties
The most popular programs at VU Amsterdam can be roughly divided into several clusters: business, economics and finance, data science and analytics, social sciences and international relations, psychology, and STEM fields, health and life sciences. These are the fields in which students most often choose VU as an alternative to more expensive English-language universities.
Career opportunities in the Netherlands
Amsterdam is one of Europe's largest business hubs. Google, Booking, Uber, Deloitte, Accenture, ING, ABN AMRO, and hundreds of startups have offices here. For students, this means access to internships, part-time work, and networking opportunities while still studying. It's important to keep in mind that successful employment depends not only on a degree but also on language proficiency, visa status, and the student's personal commitment.
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Tuition fees at VU Amsterdam and the student budget
Cost is a key consideration for most applicants. The Netherlands is considered one of the most affordable countries in Europe in terms of price-quality ratio, but studying still requires financial planning.
A student’s annual budget at VU Amsterdam consists of two main components: tuition and living expenses. Mandatory items include:
program tuition fees
registration fees
rent
meals
health insurance
transportation
study materials and personal expenses
Even with a relatively moderate tuition, living expenses in Amsterdam are often the most expensive item on the budget.
How to apply to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: requirements and documents
Admission to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam follows a standard Dutch process, but requirements vary greatly depending on the specific program. The university doesn’t use a single “template” for all programs, so it’s always important to check the requirements on the page of your chosen course.
In general, the admissions committee evaluates not only formal criteria but also how well the candidate’s profile matches the academic and career goals of the program:
Academic requirements
The application is based on previous grades and a suitable profile. For undergraduate programs, it is important that the school program is recognized in the Netherlands and matches the university's level of preparation. For master's programs, a key factor is the compatibility of the degree's subject area with the chosen program.
English level
Most programs at VU Amsterdam are taught in English. IELTS or TOEFL results are usually required to prove English proficiency, but alternative certificates are sometimes accepted. Admission requirements may vary, so it's always recommended to check the program's official website for up-to-date information.
Motivation letter, CV, recommendations, portfolio
A motivation letter plays a crucial role, especially for master's programs. It's important not only to state your desire to study in Europe, but also to demonstrate how a specific program at VU fits into your career plan. A CV should highlight relevant experience, internships, projects, and skills. Recommendations and a portfolio may be required for certain programs, particularly in business, psychology, and data science.
Deadlines and Applications: How to Avoid Wasting a Year
One of the most common mistakes is starting your preparation too late. In the Netherlands, many programs close several months before the start of studies, especially for non-EU students. The earlier you begin your preparation, the better your chances of not only being accepted but also receiving funding.
Scholarships and funding at VU Amsterdam
Despite relatively affordable tuition fees, funding remains a key issue for many students. VU Amsterdam offers several forms of support:
University scholarships
National Dutch grants
European programs
Private foundations and organizations
Most scholarships cover part of the tuition fees or provide a fixed amount for living expenses.
University scholarships
partial coverage of tuition fees or assistance with accommodation
National grants of the Netherlands
government support for foreign students
European programs
grants for studies or internships abroad, including Erasmus+
Private and corporate foundations/external grants
additional funding opportunities from corporate or charitable foundations
Step-by-step plan for preparing for admission
Preparing for VU Amsterdam is not a one-time application process, but a step-by-step process:
12–18 months: strategy, program selection, profile strengthening
At this stage, the foundation of the future application is formed:
defining goals and priority areas
selecting programs and universities
participation in projects and internships
development of an academic and professional profile
6–9 months: tests, draft documents, list of scholarships
The active phase begins:
IELTS/TOEFL preparation
writing initial versions of motivation letters
CV preparation
gathering information about scholarships
1–3 months: final submission
Final stage:
Proofreading all documents
Checking requirements for each program
Submitting applications
Deadline monitoring
Interviews and additional materials
Some programs may require an interview or portfolio, especially at the Master’s and PhD levels.
Common reasons for refusal and how to avoid them
Even strong candidates are regularly rejected. The reasons are usually similar and consistent, for example:
incorrectly chosen program and profile mismatch
weak motivation without specific goals
lack of proven achievements
late start of preparation
errors in documents and formalities
lack of a funding strategy
confusion between VU and UvA
Each of these issues can be corrected with an early start and proper support.
How SelfStartGlobal helps you get into VU Amsterdam
We assist with admission to European, American, and Asian universities using a proprietary methodology. Our experts begin working with students by assessing their profile, then develop an admissions strategy, help them select programs, strengthen their profile through projects, and help them prepare their application documents correctly.
Our work includes:
analysis of the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses
selection of programs based on goals and budget
preparation of motivation letters and CVs
financing strategy
support until the desired outcome
The primary focus is on building a strong, competitive image for the candidate.
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